It was a pleasure to find that Thor's closest circle of friends were a lot kinder and far more welcoming to Reagan than the other Asgardians she'd managed to interact with earlier that night. They talked animatedly about their adventures and asked questions about her abilities and her experience fighting by Thor's side in New York. And she wasn't sure if it was Thor's doing or not, but mercifully they avoided any direct mention of Loki or the mark. As she listened on happily, laughing with the others, as Volstagg stood from the table and started recounting an animated tale, a warmth spread through her finally having found herself surrounded by people who treated her normally.
Loki, however, was less than impressed to find himself inadvertently in their company.
I can't believe I'm locked in a prison cell right now and I still have to endure this infernal story, he groaned.
Oh, come on. It's not that bad, Reagan replied. I think you just like to dislike people.
She felt the way Loki quirked an eyebrow at the comment.
The beast's eyes glowed like Hellfire... he told her then, in a low, dramatic tone.
"The beast's eyes glowed like Hellfire!" Volstagg proclaimed promptly afterwards and Reagan had to hide her mouth behind the cup she was holding so that no one saw the way she smirked.
It unlatched its jaw, revealing endless rows of hideous teeth, all sharper than my own blade...
"It unlatched its jaw, revealing endless rows of hideous teeth, all sharper than my own blade!"
Okay, Reagan conceded. I see your point.
I truly think he tells himself this story before he goes to bed each night, Loki said.
Reagan reached for the platter laden with food in the table centre to distract herself from laughing. She picked up a crisp-looking wafer, topped with a pale, salmon-coloured pâté.
Avoid that, Loki said, off-handedly. It tastes like radish.
How did you know don't like- Oh right, stupid question.
Reagan brought the wafer to her mouth and bit into it experimentally, before recoiling in disgust as the sharp flavour hit her tastebuds.
What ARE you doing? Loki asked, dumbfounded.
I wanted to see if you were telling the truth, she said simply as she returned the rest of the wafer subtly to her plate.
It truly astounds me that you don't fall over more often.
Shut up, she said without a trace of malice in her voice. Now, which of these drinks will get me don't-care-that-people-keep-staring-at-me drunk but not I-need-to-go-to-the-hospital drunk?
At Loki's suggestion, she picked up a glass. She tasted it experimentally and was pleased to find it tasted familiar - like wine from back home. Albeit, of far better quality than any of the bottles she'd normally buy herself, but still. It was comforting. She leaned back in her seat a little, savouring the small moment of familiarity. She missed wine. She missed a lot of things about home. Especially the small things. She missed ordering shitty takeout and curling up in baggy track pants on a frumpy lounge to watch bad reality TV. A complete juxtaposition to the way she was spending her evening tonight. Reagan seriously doubted that anyone in that banquet hall would appreciate her worn-out couch or the greasy pizza place just a few blocks from her apartment.
Her apartment - it was probably gathering dust by now. She wondered if there was a small pile of unopened bills accumulating in her letterbox. Her plants were probably all dead. And she was fairly certain she had a few dirty dishes still sitting in her sink, hopefully they hadn't brought ants. God. It was a good thing she'd never committed to getting that goldfish she thought might be a good idea to keep her company-
You know this isn't even really what happened, Loki told her, stirring her from her thoroughly depressing train of thought.
Reagan's brow creased momentarily in confusion before she came back to the present and realised Loki was referring to Volstagg who was still spinning his elaborate tale for them all.
What do you mean? Reagan asked, half-returning her attention to Volstagg, but more so waiting to hear what Loki had to say.
"The hideous creature showed no sign of slowing," Volstagg went on, dramatically, waving his arm around for emphasis. "He showed no sign of defeat, even after I'd robbed him of his eye! My blade was still embedded there within its bloody socket. But it mattered not, for I - bleeding and battered and without my weapon - was all that stood between the monster and the village of innocent onlookers."
The great lump wasn't trying to save anyone. Loki said, annoyed. In fact, he'd thrown away his battle axe because he's an impulsive fool and was making his best attempt to acquire a new weapon, all the while the beast was closing in on him. The oaf had no choice but to attempt to duck for cover when our good Lady Sif happened to get in his way which sent him sprawling. He grabbed hold of her breastplate as he was falling and, uh, relieved her of her attire, baring her for all to see.
Reagan gasped softly. No.
The beast was upon them and it was Sif who slayed it in the end. I personally believe she chose to exact her murderous rage upon the creature, rather than her age-long companion. Though, he did have her handprint branded across his face for the better part of the week that followed.
Reagan bit down on her smile.
Why wouldn't he just tell it that way? That's amazing.
My thoughts exactly. But Sif has forbidden him from ever breathing a word of the truth. And so he tells the story, completely omitting the fact that she was even there. I think he may fear her more than any monster he's happened to cross paths with.
Reagan's eyes fell upon Sif, who sat just a few seats up the table from her on the opposite side.
Reagan watched her for a few moments, the way she only half paid attention to the story - a tell-tale twitch of annoyance dancing at the corner of her lips that would have gone unnoticed without Loki's intel. There was no denying that she was a breathtaking sight to behold. She had features that most women on Earth would kill for, and long, raven hair that looked softer than silk. Her frame was slender and yet there was a true power to her, and it was evident from the way the Asgardians interacted with her that she had their truest and deepest respect. A perfect mix of delicate grace and stoic strength. Reagan had never found another woman more intimidating. Natasha included.
Have you ever cut her hair? Reagan asked suddenly, a small, unexpected pang of jealousy surprising her.
She caught the thought and shook her head to clear it, praying that she'd kept it shielded from Loki.
Good God, this wine is strong, she commented, placing the glass down resolutely.
Mercifully, she was spared from having to find out whether or not Loki had caught the thought as King Odin chose that moment to rise to his feet. He held a golden staff in his right hand and lifted it once to strike its heel against the ground to let out a resounding boom.
As the sound rang throughout the banquet hall all of Asgard fell silent and turned towards the noise. Reagan swivelled in her seat to survey the people around her and found that every last one was offering up their undivided attention to the Allfather. Figuring it was best to follow their lead, she settled back into her seat as subtly as possible to turn and look up at the one-eyed King.
Oh good, this ought to be enjoyable, Loki drawled sarcastically.
It's not just me, is it? The mood just got super sombre. Reagan asked, craning her neck to get a better look at the Allfather. I feel like there's a 50/50 chance we're all about to be put to death.
No, no, it's not you. That's just his natural candour.
Jesus. Bedtime stories must have been fun for you.
Loki scoffed.
"People of Asgard," Odin began. Even though he spoke calmly, his voice rang throughout the hall, crystal clear to each and every person present. "We have much to celebrate upon this eve."
Reagan glanced to Thor beside her to find him gazing up at his father, pride evident upon his features.
"Thanks to the valiant efforts of my son and heir, the mighty Thor, the Bifrost has been restored, reconnecting us to our brethren throughout the galaxy. Renewed peace treaties have been established between Norheim and Asgard and the abhorrent tirades of the traitor, Loki-"
Ope. Shout out! Reagan exclaimed, with a slight giggle.
The Asgardian wine had left her feeling tipsy and she tried to compose herself quickly, but she could feel the way that Loki absolutely beamed at her reaction which made it just a little more difficult.
"-have been brought to an end, and the traitor himself, to justice."
Beside her, Thor gave her an odd glance.
"Sorry," she whispered, ducking her chin as her cheeks heated up.
She knew she shouldn't have found the situation funny. In fact, she should have still been angrier than anyone else in that hall. But the Asgardian wine was strong and she was feeling at ease for the first time in weeks and her inhibitions had been lowered just enough to not-so-begrudgingly admit to herself that she was kind of enjoying Loki's running commentary on the evening.
She leaned her elbow on the table and propped her chin up on her hand as she watched the King continue his speech.
"Unfortunately, this night of celebration must be just that - a night. The fate of the Nine Realms hangs in a delicate balance and Asgard has much to prepare for. We must not allow ourselves to grow complacent. We cannot consider our Kingdom at rest. We must remain vigilant to the threats upon our horizon."
A hushed murmur swept through the crowd and Reagan was all to aware that great deal of attention shifted her way as a response. Though Odin did not say it, the implication was clear. She and Loki bore the marks, leaving Asgard at risk of attack from the Atraxis. Thankfully, liquid courage now flowed through Reagan's veins and for once the stares - the murmurs - didn't phase her. Instead, she gave her attention back to Loki, Odin's speech fading to become background noise.
He's a very sobering man, isn't he? Reagan commented, casually as she reached for a fresh glass of wine.
Amused approval once again pulsed down the bond.
Sobering may be exactly what you need right now, Loki prodded playfully and Reagan rolled her eyes, her heart only half in it.
Gimme a break, I'm just having a bit of fun. I don't know if you've noticed but I've been a little tightly wound lately.
Ah, then at least one of us has enjoyed ourselves tonight.
Pfft, don't lie. You've had fun, too.
"-and so, we honour you, my son," Odin raised a golden cup into the air by way of conclusion and a sea of people around Reagan followed suit. "To Thor."
I most certainly am not enjoying this.
Come on, who doesn't love a good toast?
"To Thor!"
"To Thor!"
"To Thor!"
All around her, voices bellowed in agreement as rapidly rising waves of annoyance ebbed off Loki, so palpable that Reagan was mildly surprised that the people around her couldn't feel it too.
She positively beamed as she thrust her own glass into the air enthusiastically, elated by any opportunity to get under his skin.
Loki's full attention snapped her way suddenly.
Don't you dar-
"To Thor!" Reagan exclaimed happily before Loki had a chance to finish his threat, a smile plastered upon her face as she brought the cup to her lips and drank deeply.
You thoroughly amuse yourself, don't you?
I absolutely do, yes.
Their would-be squabble was soon interrupted when soft, lilting music began to echo throughout the banquet hall. Reagan turned to look around and found about twenty musicians had positioned themselves all around the edges of the hall, holding unfamiliar-looking instruments. The music was tranquil and reverent, and even in those few opening moments of the notes washing over the crowd, a sense of ease settled over Reagan.
"Are we dancing?" Reagan asked in a soft voice, not wanting to interrupt the music.
"Not tonight," Thor answered, surprising her slightly. She hadn't realised until that moment how little she had been engaging with the people she was seated with, so preoccupied conversing with Loki for so much of the evening. "We don't dance at these types of feasts. That is for the entertainers to do."
As if on cue, roughly fifty people filed into the room, all dressed in identical hooded, white cloaks. They moved gracefully, almost as if they were gliding rather than walking. Each had their head bowed, face mostly concealed as their hood hung low over their features. They fanned out amongst the tables until they were all perfectly spaced throughout the hall. As the music rose and fell all around them, and time ticked by slowly, the cloaked figures stood unwaveringly still, all faced towards the King.
Reagan was about to lean over to Thor to ask what was happening when in perfect unison the dancers raised their heads. The music swelled then and cloaks fell to the ground, revealing that each of the dancers was completely naked and their arms were drenched in a coating of thick, black ink from the elbow down, dripping from their fingertips. The dancers, at last, began to move then with impossible synchronicity. The movements were slow and languid and each movement smeared the ink from their hands over the rest of their bodies. Reagan watched on as they painted themselves with controlled yet haphazard strokes.
Soon, Thor glanced her way and clocked the look of confusion on her features. He leaned in to offer a quiet explanation.
"It is a dance to honour the warriors of Asgard, those who have conquered, those who have fallen," Thor murmured to her. "It is representative of the strength and indomitable spirit of our people."
Reagan nodded in acknowledgement and continued to watch on from her seat in slight disbelief, still nursing a glass in her hand which was all but forgotten in her state of distraction, warming to room temperature. It was certainly not a sight she'd expected to see that evening.
This is so... weird, she commented more to herself than Loki this time as she watched the dancers writhe around her, thoroughly perplexed.
She made her best efforts to keep her features neutral as she reclined back into her seat and watched the strange display before blanching suddenly as a thought occurred to her.
Oh, my God. Loki, I'm not at an orgy, am I? She asked as panic gripped her.
Unexpected laughter burst forth from Loki, it sounded true and genuine. And though it only took him a few moments to compose himself, Reagan waited for his answer with bated breath.
No, you fool, you're not at an orgy.
Reagan breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Okay, good.
For the first time that evening, the pair fell into a comfortable silence. It was strange, having the link open and not feeling like she had a nerve exposed. Perhaps she had the wine to thank for that. Or perhaps Loki was just honouring their truce in a far more acceptable way than Reagan had ever hoped to expect. It was hard to believe that she was actually enjoying the company of the individual who just a little over a month ago had tried to invade her planet.
If you had taken over the Earth would you have forced us to do this kind of thing? She asked him, truly curious about the answer. Naked interpretive dances in your honour? Is this what you would have wanted?
Heavens, no. Loki answered quickly. Adamantly. Though I do have an affinity for theatre, perhaps a play or two about my conquests would have been in order.
Theatre geek, huh? That explains so much. Reagan nodded her head sagely.
And what does that mean exactly?
It means you're a total hypocrite, she teased. You've been giving poor Volstagg a hard time all night for his - admittedly, very long and rehearsed story - but the first thing you would have done as King of Earth is to cast Matt Damon as the lead in your biopic? Give me a break.
You know you make a rather insufferable drunk.
Reagan lifted her glass to her lips as she detected a hint of amusement in Loki's voice.
Thank you.
The moment she woke up Reagan found herself wishing for the sweet and merciful release of death.
Well, that's certainly dramatic.
Reagan let out a wretched groan as her head throbbed horribly and nausea swept through her. Her own mouth tasted stale and tacky and her eyes began to water the moment she attempted to so much as squint at her surroundings. She tried to sink deeper into her blankets to retreat away from the small blade of sunshine which had the audacity to pierce through the darkness of her bedroom.
"I knew it," she grunted as her head gave another horrid throb. "I totally knew it. You were trying to kill me all along."
If you'll remember correctly, I did everything in my power last night to get you drinking water instead of wine.
Reagan scoffed at him. "Whatever, reverse-Jesus. Can you just back off until a more reasonable hour of the morning, please?"
Actually, I did. It's well past noon and you're late for your lesson.
Reagan loosed another dramatic moan.
"No lessons today," she protested weakly. "Thank you for your interest in my continued educational journey but today I will be engaging only in darkness and rehydration and maybe a quick vomit if I can muster up the energy."
Delightful.
"Well, that is my brand."
She could feel Loki's amusement spiralling down the bond, he was all too pleased by her state of distress but she was simply too sick to care.
Come now, up you get. I've been merciful enough to let you rest until now. I've been waiting around all morning with nothing to do, it's time we get to work.
Reagan rolled onto her back and rubbed miserably at her sleep-crusted eyes, picturing the dark Prince alone in his prison cell, pacing impatiently while she slept the morning away. Her brow furrowed at the thought.
"What do you do to pass the time in there? You know, when you're not busy making me want to murder you, of course," Reagan asked. "Do you get yard time?"
What is yard time? Loki asked, his tone of voice telling her that he'd already decided to dislike it no matter the answer.
"Well, on Earth prisoners get time outside," Reagan explained as she yawned and stretched, her whole body crying out in protest. "You know, get some fresh air, some exercise. That sort of thing. I don't know much about it if I'm honest but I think it's like an hour a day or something."
Loki scoffed. Ridiculous. Why would anyone allow prisoners such freedoms?
Reagan didn't even try to refrain from rolling her eyes. It hurt. Loki grinned.
"You're not serious, are you?" She drawled. "Even trapped in a prison cell 24 hours a day, you turn your nose up at an idea that would be an improvement on your current situation just because it's Midgardian?"
Loki just let out a stubborn huff but did not offer a rebuttal.
"What happened to make you hate us so much anyway?" Reagan mumbled into the blankets she was busy pulling up over her head to block out the light.
She felt hesitation from him that she hadn't expected.
It's not about hating you. You are simply subservient beings, made to be ruled by one like me.
A short, sharp laugh burst from her lips.
"Ah, yes, because the one thing I would say about our interactions up to this point is that I have been extremely subservient to you," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Yes, well, I believe you may be an anomaly.
"I'm really not," she corrected him.
You have to be. It's not possible that there is a whole planet full of beings as unbearable as you.
"You know, I really think if you just gave us a chance you might actually - Oh, hey! What if I teach you about some of the best Midgardians? See if I can convince you to like one of us. I bet I could."
Do you have to wake up early in the morning to think of new ways to annoy me?
"Ha! Well, I definitely didn't today so I suppose it's just a natural talent. Come on, it might be fun. We might even manage to grow that Grinch-look-a-like heart of yours by a few sizes."
Are you just trying to distract me from the fact that you are avoiding your lessons?
Reagan shrugged a little.
"Maybe. I feel like it's 12% working. Am I reading that right?"
When have I ever admitted to you being right about anything?
"Okay. So there's this one guy named from either France or Holland. I can't remember right this second. But he was awesome and also completely batshit crazy. His name was Vincent Van Gogh and he painted this-"
Alright fine, Loki conceded, cutting her off. It was evident that he remembered all too well just how capable Reagan was of keeping an insufferable tangent running for hours on end. If it means I don't have to endure you talking about Midgard, you can rest for one day and one day only, but we return to your lessons tomorrow. No excuses.
"Deal," Reagan agreed, triumphantly. As she snuggled deeper into her blankets she put a mental checkmark under her name on her running Reagan vs Loki tally.
Loki rolled his eyes.
I hope you do vomit, he muttered.
Reagan smiled a little despite herself.
"Okay, well now you're just being mean."
It took Reagan a full three days to fully recover from the wine she'd consumed and consequently swore off for all eternity that night. When she, at last, returned to her lessons with Loki, her mind was still slightly fogged by the whole experience and so any progress they'd made in establishing her shields seemed to have taken a good three steps in the wrong direction.
Reagan huffed in frustration and collapsed back onto her bed when for the fourth time in as many minutes, Loki burst through her pathetic excuse for a shield.
"This sucks!" she exclaimed, to no one in particular. "Why can't I get this?"
Perhaps it's because you made it your mission a few nights ago to kill the few brain cells you had that I could actually work with.
Seeing as though she couldn't direct it at Loki himself, Reagan shot her murderous glare up towards the ceiling. It only made him chuckle.
Relax, I'm teasing. Perhaps you just need one more day to fully recover-
"No, I'm fine. Let's try again."
Loki sighed deeply. She could tell he wanted to protest but saw little point in arguing with her. He was rapidly becoming familiar with how stubborn she could be.
Once again Loki broke down her barriers in a matter of seconds.
Reagan groaned and pushed the heels of her palms into her eyes.
"I'm just not getting this today. I'm too much in my own head. Can we maybe work on something else? It might help me reset my brain."
Something else like what? Loki asked, disinterestedly.
She wasn't sure where the thought came from, it wasn't even something she'd been thinking about, but suddenly an image of Frigga bloomed in her mind. The way she'd been seated with her eyes closed, hands folded delicately in her lap, a golden hue dancing around her temples.
"She's projecting herself," Thor's voice echoed in her memory. "She's with him in his cell, at least an illusion of her is. They can see each other. Speak to one another."
"Wow... Is that something I can learn?"
Loki stilled as he inspected the memory, quieting completely, weighing it. Reagan waited, unsure of what his reaction might be.
Try it, he said at last.
Reagan blinked in surprise.
"Oh, I don't know. It seems a little advanced for me," she said gently, feeling suddenly self-conscious. "Besides, your mother said you need to start with someone you have a bond with and I don't-"
Use me.
Reagan hesitated. Of course, she knew she shared a bond with Loki, but the type of connection Frigga had been talking about... she was certain that this wasn't it. It was supposed to be with someone who made you feel safe, someone you trusted. And while they'd made some progress, she wouldn't exactly define him as safe. Reagan winced.
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Reagan said at last, trying her best not to sound unkind.
Loki picked up on her trepidation and instead of sneering as she suspected he would, he seemed to soften a little in response. Reagan was reminded once again of just how patient a teacher he was.
Reagan, I won't let anything happen to you. He told her with uncharacteristic sincerity. I'm in your head, if I feel you doing something wrong I'll stop you. It serves me no purpose if you hurt yourself, it'll only set us back on our progress of finding a way out of this whole predicament.
She nodded in acknowledgement but didn't answer right away, still unsure. She was tempted, curious but... still there was fear. She willed it away but it wouldn't budge, her heart rate quickened a little - regardless of the process they'd made she still hated feeling so vulnerable in front of him. Hated that her emotions were laid out before him like an open book.
When the link is open, Loki said, distracting her from her line of thought. I'm aware of exactly where you are. I can feel which foot you're stepping with, when you inhale, when you smile.
His words caused heat to creep into her face against her will and Reagan sensed a slight smirk tug at the corner of Loki's lips.
When you blush, Loki added.
"Shut up," she muttered.
My point is, you can feel me too, can't you? You can feel exactly where I am right now.
Reagan stilled and allowed herself to focus on him, considering. She closed her eyes as she took in a deep, slow breath then allowed herself to explore the link, flowing through it and allowing it to flow through her all at once. Since the bond had snapped into place she hadn't really permitted herself to explore the workings of it so openly - she hadn't wanted to. But opening herself up to it now, in those few moments of acceptance rather than resistance, it felt easy, natural. And she found that she could feel him. Not just his presence; she could feel the way he leaned casually against the wall of his cell, gazing at nothing in particular as his focus was on her thought process in turn. His chin was slightly tucked, his arms crossed over his chest with his hand tucked into his armpits, his right ankle crossed over his left. His pulse was steady, his breathing deep and even.
Reagan nodded as she opened her eyes again slowly.
"Yes," she murmured at last. "I can always feel exactly where you are."
You couldn't ask for a better anchor.
She nodded, without responding out loud. She didn't have to.
She couldn't quite understand why she felt so raw at that moment - as if she were exposing some new secret part of herself to him. Perhaps it was just that she spent so much time pretending not to be afraid, it was intimidating to not be able to hide her fear from him.
When Loki spoke again his voice was gentle, earnest.
Reagan, I won't let anything happen to you. He seemed to remember himself then and his tone shifted to be something she was far more familiar with. Besides, tell me one time I've given you any reason not to trust me.
Reagan let loose a huff of disbelief, ready to assault him with a very long list of examples before she felt amusement swirl down the link, and she rolled her eyes even as an involuntary smile pulled at her lips.
"Alright, fine." she relented at last.
With newfound determination she stood and moved to the centre of the room, squaring her shoulders.
"Tell me what to do."
She offered up her undivided attention as Loki explained the basics, what to focus on, how to harness the power within herself and redirect it into something new and unfamiliar. She could feel him studying her thought patterns, monitoring the way she turned concepts over in her mind, only moving on when he was certain she understood what he was explaining.
"Okay," Reagan said when the theory was complete. "I'm ready."
Let's see what you're made of, mortal.
Reagan took a deep breath and summoned forth her power. It was such a foreign feeling to bring it forth for something other than setting herself a flame and it took her some time to get it right. But soon enough she felt something click into place, and a strange sensation swept over her akin to falling asleep. She slipped into the sensation and kept waiting to jolt back awake but it never came. She just kept sinking. Sinking into darkness. She tried to pull back a little and found that she couldn't.
Her pulse began to spike as panic set in.
Reagan, it's alright. Loki assured her. Just follow my voice. Find your way back to me.
Reagan shifted her focus toward him, towards his voice. Reaching for him. Anchoring herself to his presence. She honed in on the bond - their tether - and felt how open it was, she allowed her consciousness to flow down its length. Closer to him.
A strange glowing sensation washed through her then, like she was stepping into the sunlight. She furrowed her brow, unsure of what it was.
"Open your eyes," Loki said.
His voice sounded strange and Reagan realised, as she opened her eyes, that it was because, for the first time, it wasn't sounding from within her own head.
She glanced around to find herself inside Loki's starkly white prison cell, the God of Mischief himself, standing just a few inches away gazing down at her with his hands clasped behind his back and a pleased expression on his face. He was taller than she remembered, broader too. Even locked away in a cell he was dressed in fine clothing; rich velvets and soft leathers. His trademark colours, of course; green and black. His hair which had grown just a little since she'd last seen him in person was slightly damp and his face was cleanly shaven. She found herself wondering fleetingly if he smelled of bath oils.
"I'm impressed," he told her, shaking her from her thoughts.
"Holy shit, I did it," she whispered, in disbelief.
Reagan looked up to meet his gaze, unable to keep from smiling at her accomplishment. She realised then that she'd been studying him for quite some time, and that he'd been doing the same in return. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Reagan couldn't bring herself to stop staring at him. It was so strange to be there, face to face with him after him being nothing but a disembodied voice for so long.
"Hi," Reagan grinned, still not quite believing she'd actually managed to project herself.
"Hello there," he replied with a small, gentle smile.
She watched, fascinated, as the expression changed his entire face. It softened him. Made him seem... lighter. At that moment she could barely see the cold, cruel creature she'd come to think of him as in New York. It was hard to even reconcile that it was possible for the man standing before her to actually be the same person. Not when he was looking at her with actual warmth in those green eyes of his.
He's actually quite handsome, she found herself thinking absently.
Reagan was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't see the way his eyebrow quirked and a smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, having heard the stray thought. Loki opened his mouth to comment but paused when he saw the change in her, the way she seemed to grow confused.
"They're green," she murmured softly.
Loki quirked his head a little as he watched her eyebrows draw together slowly in perplexity.
"What?" he asked.
"Your eyes are green," she said, staring at them unblinkingly. "I thought- I thought they were blue."
Loki opened his mouth to speak but then thought better of it. He averted his gaze from her at last and took a few steps back from her. He rolled his shoulders just a little, trying to hide the tension that had snaked its way into his posture.
"I saw them in New York," Reagan pressed on. "They were blue. I know they were blue. Because I remember thinking they were just like..." just like Clint's.
Loki turned away from her completely then, picking up a book on a nearby table and thumbing through it.
"I think that's quite enough for today," he told her, his attention honed solely on the pages of the book.
Reagan wanted desperately to push the matter, but the tone of his voice was enough to tell her that it was a non-issue. She wouldn't be getting any answers out of him. She watched him for just a few more moments before she loosed a gentle sigh, closed her eyes and allowed her powers to extinguish, retreating back into her own body. It was a disorienting feeling, and slightly lonely when coupled with the way she felt Loki retreating from her mind, marking the end of their lesson.
She opened her eyes to take in her surroundings, her bed chambers so vastly different from Loki's current dwellings. She could stil barely believe she'd managed it. Pride swelled in her chest and she realised then that Loki was still observing her from a little more of a distance, his shield not yet fully in place.
Before he disappeared from her mind completely, she heard his voice one last time.
Well done, mortal.
Reagan smiled.